Welcome! This is an unapologetic, agenda-free zone. Just commentaries on current events that’ll move you to think, laugh, rage, and even cry.
Three female members of a Russian punk band called Pussy Riot were arrested five months ago for crashing service at a Moscow cathedral to perform a protest song against President Vladimir Putin. I suspect few commentators have criticized Putin in print more than I have for his dictatorial rule. In fact, I coined the phrase “the putinization of Russia”… Read more.
Rabble-rousing trade unionists (COSATU) and unreformed communists (SACP) have turned the ruling ANC from a governing coalition into a band of pillagers. Therefore, Zuma relying on them to intimidate his critics, like cartoonist Zapiro, should serve as a dire warning of what South Africa will become under his leadership. (“Zuma issues fatwa against cartoonist Zapiro,”… Read more.
Vice President Joe Biden set Republican tongues wagging on Tuesday for injecting the following not-so-subtle dog-whistle about race into a speech he delivered that day before a predominantly Black crowd in Southern Virginia: Romney wants to let the, he said the first 100 days he’s gon’ let the big banks once again write their own rules.… Read more.
NBC Friends and family will attest that I spent most of the Olympics hurling profanities at NBC for the Taliban-like control it exercised over TV coverage of the Games. But my profane outrage intensified into righteous indignation every time it previewed (as it did ad nauseam) the coming attraction of its new “reality” TV show,… Read more.
I am not a father; therefore, I cannot relate to the frustration men must feel lying flaccidly by while their pregnant wives (or girlfriends) suffer morning sickness. But I can certainly appreciate how aroused they will become when they hear about scientific research which shows that they can help cure that morning sickness … naturally. Here is how the… Read more.
Political punditry in America has become almost as reactionary and partisan as the dribble that pours out every time a politician opens his mouth these days. You’d think, for example, that nationally respected pundits like Paul Krugman and David Gergen would be offering insight and analysis on Mitt Romney’s choice of Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin as… Read more.
I declared on Friday that television coverage of these Olympic Games had jumped the shark. And NBC showed just why last night. For, instead of beginning its tape-delayed, prime-time broadcast by showing the Olympic events it knew people wanted to see, NBC interposed a further delay to air a one-hour documentary on the events of World… Read more.
To be honest, folks, I’m pooped. Watching (or staring at) as much streaming video as I have over the past two weeks is probably not good for my health … to say nothing of my already failing eyesight. Never mind the irony inherent in the cause for this being my addictive interest in watching the healthiest… Read more.
Rhythmic Gymnastics I upset fans of equestrian eventing by declaring in my Day 3 commentary that it should not be an Olympic sport. Well, fans of rhythmic gymnastics should prepare to get their tutus ruffled; because I hereby declare that it is even more underserving of Olympic accreditation. Frankly, as I watched no less a… Read more.
Beach Volleyball It’s no exaggeration to say that Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings of the USA are to women’s Beach Volleyball what members of the Dream Team are to men’s Basketball. In fact, Misty and Kerri have amassed a better record in Olympic competition than the various Dream Teams. This is why they were… Read more.
